April 3d. The Connecticut arrived from home with mails and fresh provisions for the squadron, all of which were acceptable, and many a sailor’s heart was gladdened by a letter from home.
Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford–Wm. C. Holton
March 31st. Discovered a portion of a submarine telegraph cable across the river directly under our ship. The cable was destroyed, and a sample brought on board ship.
March 29th. Nothing of importance is occurring now-a-days to mark one day from another. Yesterday, Capt. Bell, with the gunboats Kennebeck, Wissahickon and Winona, ascended the river to the forts, when Fort Jackson opened fire on them, and after firing about one hundred rounds at us our vessels hauled off. They discovered the position of the defenses, also a chain stretched across the river just below Forts Jackson and St. Philip, on eight schooners anchored between the forts. Our squadron is still gradually collecting. Capt. Porter’s mortar fleet is already here, but our large ships are not all over the bar.
March 19th. Thirteen sail of Capt. Porter’s fleet arrived today, being towed up the river by tugboats, and immediately taken to Pilot Town to dismantle. As business is monotonous at this season, our journal occasionally skips a few days.
March 15th. Went up to the head of the Passes, which is eighteen miles from the mouth. The rumor prevails that we here wait for Capt. Porter’s mortar fleet. This is a dreary place, but somewhat pleasanter than below; where nothing was to be seen but mud, muddy water, and huge fog banks.
March 11th. After failing to get up the river at this Pass we to-day steamed round to South-West Pass to try the depth of water there. We found the U. S. steam frigate Colorado here, besides several transports. On the following day the Brooklyn went over this bar and anchored on the other side. The Hartford followed on the 13th and all proceeded to Pilot Town, a little settlement just above the mouth of the Pass. Here it was decided to strip the ship for action; this occupied the 14th. We sent a guard of marines ashore to protect our property, and the flag which was raised on the lookout by Lieut. Kautz, Lieut. Broome of the marines, and Mr. Osbon; the guns were all shotted, and preparations made for any demonstration of the enemy.
March 9th. The Brooklyn tried all day, but with no effect, to cross the barrier before us. Capt. Bell went up the river in the gunboat Winona on a reconnoissance, and this evening came down with five prisoners, who were duly examined by the flag-officer, who after examination discharged them as neutrals.
March 8th. This afternoon the Brooklyn made an attempt to cross the bar, being led by a gunboat, but the Brooklyn grounded, and after persevering with commendable zeal gave it up for the day. The men are grinding their cutlasses, and making other preparations of a warlike character.
March 7th. Weighed anchor for the mouth of the Mississippi River; arrived in the evening, where we found the Pensacola and Brooklyn at Pass a l’Outre on the blockade. Our object in coining here was to go up the river, with the subsequent view of capturing New Orleans. Preparations were immediately made to cross the bar, a constantly shifting mud bank at the mouth of each pass of the Mississippi.
March 5th. The Rhode Island arrived, after having been to Galveston, Texas, visiting our ships as she passed them. On her way home she is to call among the blockaders, carrying home the sick and leaving stores. We put four patients aboard her for home. In the evening the U. S. sloop-of-war Richmond arrived from home; also one or two gunboats. Thus the great fleet detailed to our flag-officer’s command is slowly gathering in.
